Francis Nicholson Indicted for stealing a Watch vallued at twenty-two shillings from Robert Johnson of the Parish of St. Margarets Westminster , the manner thus, he coming into his Shop offered to sell a Watch which he said he had bought, and by reason it was broak was not willing to go to the charge of mending it upon which, the Prosecutor bought it; but not looking well about him the Prisoner had stolen another from him, upon which Indictment he was found Guilty .

A second Indictment was preferred against him and one George Granger , for the Murthering of one John Dimblebe , Servant to Mr. Marriot of Hampton-Court where the Murther was Committed , the manner of which barbarous exploit was thus; according to the Confession of Nicholson that Granger upon some falling out between him and the Deceased had bidden him fourty shillings to Murther him, and something else not named; whereupon he consented to undertake the Villanous Exploit, and at convenient times made three several Attempts, but his Heart failed him, and as often he told Granger of the same, who encouraged him as he said, upon which, the fourth time following him into a dark Room on the sixteenth of September lost, in the Evening, he being a Carpenter

by Trade, with his Ax felled him, so that his Scull was broak in several places; whether he gave him any more Blowes is not certain, but there he left him weltering in his Blood, till he was found by one Mr. Cole who came in quest of him, he being quite senseless, lived only two days afterwards but never spoke, upon which Nicholson fled towards London, which gave suspicion of his Guilt, so that being pursued he was heard of at Kingston and at the Half-moon there, had offered to sell the Watch he afterwards sold in Westminster; which he took out of the Deceased Pocket. Upan his Trial he persisted that he was Guilty of the Murther, but did solemnly Affirm Granger hired him, but there being no other Testimony than his against him, and several Witnesses produced to prove his good Behaviour and peaceable Inclination, he was acquitted and Nicholson according to his Confession, found Guilty of the Murther.